May 16, Colombo: Tension situation arose today during a protest staged by the University students in Colombo as Sri Lankan police arrested four protesters.

The police arrested the four students during the protest staged opposite the University Grant Commission in Ward Place today.

The Inter University Students' federation (IUSF) and the students of the Allied Health Science Degree programme and their parents staged a demonstration opposite the UGC today to protest the government's proposal to reduce the course duration from four years to three years.

Local media reports said following the arrests a heated argument took place between the parents of the arrested students and the police.

The students of the degree programme and the Inter University Students' federation (IUSF) defying a court order staged a similar protest in front of Sri Lankan President's official house, Temple Trees, on May 7th.

The police have arrested 16 IUSF members who defied the court order and engaged in the protest.